Lateran

American  

[lat-er-uhn] / ˈlæt ər ən /

noun

1. the church of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of the city of Rome; the church of the pope as bishop of Rome.

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Lateran British  

/ ˈlætərən /

noun

1. Also called: Lateran palace.  a palace in Rome, formerly the official residence of the popes

2. any of five ecumenical councils held in this palace between 1123 and 1512

3. the basilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome

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Etymology

Origin of Lateran

from Latin: the district is named after the ancient Roman family Plautii Laterani

Example Sentences

He was also granted permission by Constantine to build the Lateran Basilica, now the oldest public church in Rome.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2025

From the hostel terrace, we can see the Basilica of St. John Lateran, its imposing statues of Christ, John the Baptist, and John the Evangelist rising above the rooftops.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025

There is at least one commonality between this period and the days leading up to John Paul’s death: a special evening Mass at St. John’s Lateran Basilica.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

Francis had been scheduled to go to the St. John Lateran basilica across town to meet with Rome clergy and celebrate a penitential Mass at the start of Lent.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2020

The Church was scarce better prepared to discharge the duty of the confessional, which the Lateran Council had rendered obligatory and had confined to the priesthood.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume I by Lea, Henry Charles